Challenge 2 — Solution

Task: Write a small script that checks $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD']. If
it equals "POST", echo a thank-you message using a simulated
$_POST['email'] value; otherwise, echo a message telling the visitor to
submit the form first.

<?php
    // Simulating a POST request for testing purposes
    $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] = 'POST';
    $_POST['email'] = 'sam@example.com';

    if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
        $email = $_POST['email'] ?? '';
        echo "Thanks for subscribing, " . $email . "!";
    } else {
        echo "Please submit the form to subscribe.";
    }
?>


Output:
Thanks for subscribing, sam@example.com!

Notes:
- $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] and $_POST are simulated by direct
  assignment here for testing - a real web server populates both
  automatically once an actual form is submitted.
- The === comparison checks for an exact string match against "POST",
  matching the chapter's own strict-comparison recommendation from
  Chapter 3 rather than a loose == check.
- If REQUEST_METHOD had been "GET" instead, the else branch would run,
  telling the visitor to submit the form first - this is the standard
  "show form on GET, process on POST" pattern from the chapter.